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29/04/2014

NI Has Highest Caesarean Rates

A new report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO), has revealed that Northern Ireland has the highest level of caesarean section births in the UK and Ireland.

The figures published today (29 April) as part of the Safer Births report, found that almost 30% of all babies born in NI were delivered via caesarean section. In 2011/12, the report said that of the 25.703 births in the region, 28.4% were by caesarean. This rate was higher than the Republic of Ireland (28%), Scotland (27.8%) and England (25%).

When it comes to the health trusts within the region, a significant variation was found in the rate of c-sections performed at the different maternity units. For example, Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry delivered almost 36% of births by this method, compared to Belfast's Mater Hospital which has a rate of 23%.

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However, the NIAO added that while this variation is to be expected, the scale of the differences could be indicative of variations in clinical practice.

Kieran Donnelly, Comptroller and Auditor General, explained: "Caesarean sections undoubtedly save lives and should be performed in all cases where there is a clinical need.

"However, performing unnecessary caesarean sections poses health risks for the mother and baby and incurs additional costs. Caesarean sections typically cost the health service almost twice that of a normal delivery – £3724 compared to £1933.

"In the current financial climate it seems particularly important that clinical managers in the health and social care trusts understand and manage the cost implications of different modes of childbirth.

"The use of a classification system such as that demonstrated in this report will be an essential aid in assisting health and social care trusts to verify that resource allocation is determined on the basis of clinical decisions."

(JP)

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"A new report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO), has revealed that Northern Ireland has the highest level of caesarean section births in the UK and Ireland."